Justifying Saquon Barkley as the Second Overall Pick

One of the biggest questions of the 2018 season, should the New York Giants have selected Saquon Barkley as the number two overall pick when it was clear Eli Manning was no longer up to the task of leading the team at Quarterback?

Well yes, and that’s before we even look at the statistics.

The all-time career rushing touchdown leader at Penn State was always going to be a first round pick without a doubt. But the question if you could be more than just a physical, fast Running Back was always there.

Barkley has stepped up since day one in New York, he’s risen to the to the city, born in the Bronx it felt like a homecoming for the young Giant, stepping up to the media pressure, the bright lights of NYC and most of all he’s taken command of the backfield in his new team.

The muscular RB has put over 500 rushing yards, over 450 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. Barkley is 11th in season rushing yards at the half way point in the season in a team that is 1-7. The Giants have put up 623 rushing yards this season, Barkley has almost all of them.

Statistics are great to have but we know Barkley is much more than a go to Running Back, he’s made more big plays on this team than anyone else, not to mention he’s managed to calm down the forever pumped Odell Beckham Jr. This kid’s done it on Primetime and he’s seen as nothing more than the upmost professional, handling the situation he’s in and performing lights out week in week out.

At 21 he’s got a big future and the way the Giants are going they are going to be picking high up the draft order next year. Just imagine what Barkley could do with Quarterback, young and balling as much as he is.

In short, no doubt was New York right to select him at number two, he’s a pro bowler for sure and yes Eli is on the way out, but to miss out on a kid this good, well you just don’t do that.